Dean of the School of General Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a senior lecturer in the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, has been kidnapped.
Ujam was reportedly kidnapped by gunmen suspected as kidnappers’ on Sunday morning along Ugwuogo-Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road.
Unfortunately, details about his abduction are still scarce.
What’s alarming is that this road, despite having over 16 police and military checkpoints within a six-kilometer stretch, has become a hotspot for security threats against motorists and commuters.
Similar incidents have been reported in other parts of Nigeria, highlighting the growing concern of kidnapping for ransom.
For instance, in Kwara State, gunmen abducted three people and demanded a whopping N100 million ransom. In Kogi State, a magistrate was kidnapped along the Itobe-Ajaokuta road, with the kidnappers demanding N100 million.
On Saturday, an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps identified as Emeason Chima along the same road and his captors are now demanding a N50 million ransom.
In Professor Ujam’s case, the kidnappers have not yet contacted his relatives to demand a ransom. The university community and authorities are likely on high alert, working to ensure his safe release.
Meanwhile an unconfirmed report also claimed that occupants of a commercial bus were also allegedly abducted on the same road on Friday.
Our correspondent could not independently ascertain whether Ujam was kidnapped alone or with any of his family members.
However, when the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, was contacted on Monday about the incident, he demanded for a text message.
However, as at the time of filing this report he hasn’t responded to the message seeking his comments.
